Flexible material holding device

ABSTRACT

A flexible material holding device comprising: an elastic band and a pair of clips secured to the ends of the band and adapted to engage and removably retain the ends of a flexible material cover for the purpose of removably retaining it in place on an object or objects on which it is mounted. Each of the clips comprises a pair of pivotably connected arms having gripping portions that are biased into engagement by a spring member. The gripping portion of each arm comprises a concave section which merges with a convex end section. The end of the gripping portion of one clip overlaps the end of the gripping portion of the other clip. The concave and convex sections of the one clip are adapted to engage the convex and concave sections, respectively, of the other clip so that flexible material inserted between the gripping portions of the clip arms is gripped in two places by each of the clips. The reverse curvature of the clip arms facilitates the insertion of the flexible material between the gripping portions thereof, prevents tearing of the flexible material retained therebetween, and increases the gripping ability of the clips.

United States Patent [19] Rhodes FLEXIBLE MATERIAL HOLDING DEVICE [76]Inventor: Patrick Dey Rhodes, 3258 Richard Avenue N.E., Roanoke, Va.24012 [22] Filed: OctJlS, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 80,868

[52] US. Cl. ..24/8l T, 24/81 AB, 24/253, 24/D1G. 22 [51 lnt. Cl. ..A44b21/00 [58] Field of Search ..24/81, 8284, 24/85, 259, 243, 248, 252

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 524,834 8/1894 Mayent..24/81 T 1,205,889 11/1916 Halvorson ..24/259 GC 972,439 10/1910 Cutlert ..24/84 R 3,026,581 3/1962 Collin et a1....,. ....24/84 R X 3,290,74312/1966 Hanson ..24/81 T 3,058,183 10/1962 Hawie ..24/8l GS 1,784,71712/1930 Barnes ....24/8l DM 787,899 4/1905 Curry ..24/82 3,096,5517/1963 Shoberg ..24/81 CC FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATIONS 1,554,17611/1969 Germany ..24/8l T 21,247 1 H1891 Great Britain 16,980 2/1910Great Britain ..24/8l GS Primary ExaminerPaul R. GilliamAttorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [5 7] ABSTRACT Aflexible material holding device comprising: an elastic band and a pairof clips secured to the ends of the band and adapted to engage andremovably retain the ends of a flexible material cover for the purposeof removably retaining it in place on an object or objects on which itis mounted. Each of the clips comprises a pair of pivotably connectedarms having gripping portions that are biased into engagement by aspring member. The gripping portion of each arm comprises a concavesection which merges with a convex end section. The end of the grippingportion of one clip overlaps the end of the gripping portion of theother clip. The concave and convex sections of the one clip are adaptedto engage the convex and concave sections, respectively, of the otherclip so that flexible material inserted between the gripping portions ofthe clip arms is gripped in two places. by each of the clips. Thereverse curvature of the clip arms facilitates the insertion of theflexible material between the gripping portions thereof, preventstearing of the flexible material retained therebetween, and increasesthe gripping ability of the clips.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures -1mm APR 1 7 :91:

FIG. 4

INVENTOR PMTRICK DEY RHODES Iqbal, I

BY :4 (We 1 FLEXIBLE MATERIAL HOLDING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONthe like on an object or objects.

Heretofore, many different types of holding devices have been utilizedfor retaining a flexible material cover or the like on an object.Substantially all of these devices have been subject to certaindisadvantages. For example, certain of the prior art holding deviceshave not been capable of being used with flexible material covers or thelike of different types and sizes. Other devices have not been capableof firmly holding flexible material covers in place when they have beensubjected to tension. Many of the prior art holding devices which havebeen capable of holding the cover in place when it is tensioned havebeen constructed so as to damage or tear the ends-of the flexiblematerial being held by the device. A further disadvantage of certain ofthe previously used holding devices is that it has been difficult toinsert the ends of the flexible material cloths or the like in theholding device, with the result that it has required a time consumingoperation to retain a flexible material cloth or the like on an objector objects to be covered.

A need has thus arisen for a flexible material holding device which issimple in construction, can be easily used with flexible material clothsor the like of different types and sizes, and will not damage theflexible material cloth when it is under tension. The holding device ofthe present invention meets all of these requirements without beingsubject to any of the disadvantages described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The holding device of the present inventioncomprises an elastic band which is attached at its ends to a pair ofclips having pivotally connected gripping arms that are urged intolocking engagement by a spring. The gripping portions of the clip armsare disposed in overlapping relation, and each gripping portioncomprises a concave section which merges into a convex end section. Theouter convex and concave sections of the one clip arm are adapted toengage the inner convex and concave sections, respectively, of the otherclip arm so as to provide two points of locking engagement between theclip arms. The end of a flexible material cloth or thelike insertedbetween the inner and outer gripping portions of the clip arms,therefore, will be gripped at two different places so as to removablyretain it within the clip.

Since the end section of the outer gripping portion is concavely curved,and is disposed adjacent the convexly curved portion of the innergripping portion, an

outwardly diverging opening is provided therebetween for the insertionof one end of the flexible material cloth. The insertion of the clothbetween the gripping portions, therefore, is greatly facilitated.Secondly,

since the flexible material is gripped by oppositely' curved sections ofthe clip arm gripping portions, there will be little tendency for theflexible material to be damaged, even when subjected to tension. Theprovision of an open area between the locking sections or points ofengagement of the gripping portions allows the flexible material to begathered between these points and to further prevent tearing of thematerial when it is subjected to tension. Further, since the end sectionof the outer gripping portion is curved outwardly, it provides asmoothly curved surface in engagement with the flexible material andthus reduces any possibility of tearing of the material. If the flexiblematerial cloth or the like is subjected to undue tension, the ends ofthe flexible material. between the gripping portions of the clip armswill slip past the oppositely curved gripping surfaces on the clip armsand thus damage to the flexible material is further prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of aflexible material holding device constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing theholding device of the present invention being utilized to retain aflexible material cover or the like on an object;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a clip for use with the holdingdevice of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1, the holdingdevice 10 of the present invention comprises an elastic band 12, whichmay be constructed or any suitable flexible and resilient material, anda pair of clips 14 which are secured to the ends of the elastic band 12and are adapted to engage the ends of a flexible material cover or thelike.

Each of the clips 14 may be formed of any suitable material, such asmetal or plastic, and comprises a pair of arms l6, 16' which areprovided with inwardly extending tabs 18, 18' that are pivotallyconnected by a pivot pin 20. Within the scope of this invention, thearms 16, 16' may be pivotally connected in any other suitable manner. Aspring 22 of any suitable type serves to urge the arms to the positionsshown in FIGS. 1 through 4, wherein the handle portions 24, 24 of thearms are disposed in spaced relation and the gripping portions of thearms are disposed in locking engagement. The ends of the elastic band 12are looped through apertures in the handle portions 24, 24' of the cliparms 16, 16' and are secured in any suitable manner such as by asuitable lockingor gripping device or an adhesive.

The gripping portions of the clip arms 16, 16' are disposed inoverlapping, engaging relation. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the grippingportion of the arm 16 is disposed within the gripping portion of the arm16' and comprises a convexly curved section 26 which merges with aconcavely curved end section 28. The gripping portion of the arm 16'comprises a concavely curved section 26' which is adjacent the concavesection 28 of the arm 16, and a convexly curved section 28' which isadjacent the convex section 26 of the arm 16. In this manner, theoppositely curved sections of the gripping portions of the arms 16 and16 are urged into locking engagement by the spring 22 at two spacedpoints on the gripping portions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. An opening30 is provided between the gripping portions of the arms 16 and 16 andbetween the points of locking engagement thereof.

Although the holding device of the present invention can be used formany different purposes, it is espe cially useful for holding a cover offlexible material on an object or objects in the manner shown in FIG. 2.In use, after the cover C has been fitted over the object 0, one of theclips 14 is opened by pressing its handle portions 24, 24 inwardly so asto enable one end of the flexible coverC to be received within thegripping portions of the clip arms 16, 16. Thereafter, the elastic band12 is stretched, the other clip 14 is opened and the other end of theflexible cloth C is positioned between the gripping portions of theother clip arms 16, 16'. In this manner, the flexible cover C isretained in tightly fitting relation on the object O. The amount oftension applied to the cover C can be easily predetermined by varyingthe length or degree of elasticity of the elastic band 12. in the caseof a table cloth, for example, the holding device 10 of the presentinvention serves to firmly retain the table cloth on a table and isdisposed on the underside of the table so as to be hidden from view andso as not to be interfere with any of the space on the upper side of thetable.

Each end of the flexible cover C is positively retained within thegripping portions of the arms 16 and 16' of each clip 14. The end of theflexible cover is engaged at two spaced points, as shown in FIG. 2,namely, at the point of engagement between the convex portion 26' of arm16' and the concave end portion 28 of arm 16, and at the point ofengagement of the concave end section 28 of arm 16 and the convexsection 26 of arm 16. The engagement of the flexible material of thecover at the spaced points of engagement of the oppositely curvedsections of the gripping portions of the arms 16 and 16 serves topositively retain the cover material within each clip 14 when it is inits normally locked position under the influence of the spring 22.

The oppositely curved sections of the gripping portions of the clip arms16 and 16 provide smooth rounded surfaces for engagement with theflexible material of the cover C and thus effectively prevent damage tothe flexible material when it is locked between the gripping portions.The outwardly diverging opening defined by the end section 28' of arm 16and the convex section 26 of arm 16 greatly facilitates the insertion ofthe end of the flexible cover C between the gripping portions of theclip arms, and also serves to prevent damage to the flexible materialresuting from its contact with the curved section 28 when the cover isunder tension. Damage to the cover material is further prevented by theprovision of the opening 30 between the points of engagement of thegripping portions of the clip arms 16 and 16'. The flexible material ofthe cover may be gathered within the opening 30 to further prevent thetearing of the material when it is placed under tension.

From the foregoing description, it will readily be seen that the holdingdevice 10 of the present invention may be utilized to retain covers ofvarious types of flexible material, such as paper, plastic or wovenfabric, on an object or objects of various shapes without damaging theflexible cover material. If the cover is subjected to an undue amount oftension, the ends of the cover will tend to slip between the engagedcurved sections of the gripping portions of the clip arms, and thustearing of the flexible material cover will be prevented.

As illustrative examples, the holding device of the present inventionmay be utilized by itself or with one or more other holding devices ofthe same or similar construction to retain many different types ofcovers in place, such as table cloths, slip covers, boat covers, lawnfurniture covers, car top luggage carrier covers and the like. Theholding device of the present invention may be easily adapted for usewith various types and sizes of covers by merely changing the size ofthe clips 14 and/or changing the length or degree of elasticity of theelastic band 12.

What is claimed is:

1. A holding device for a flexible cover or the like, comprising:

a. an elastic band, and

b. a pair of clips secured to the end portions of said elastic band andadapted to engage the end portions of the flexible cover, each of saidclips comprising:

l. first and second pivotally connected arms, said arms each having ahandle portion and a gripping portion, said gripping portion beingangularly offset relative to said handle portions with the grippingportion of said first arm being disposed within the gripping portion ofsaid second arm,

. means for normally urging said handle portions into spaced apartrelation and said gripping portions into engaging relation,

3. said first arm gripping portion comprising a convexly curved sectionmerging into a concavely curved end section,

. said second arm gripping portion comprising a convexly curved sectionadapted to engage said first arm concave section, and a concavely curvedend section adapted to engage said first arm convex section at a pointof engagement spaced from the point of engagement of said first armconcave section and said. second arm convex section,

whereby each clip is adapted to engage an end portion of said cover atsaid spaced points of engagement.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said grippingportions of said first andsecond arms define an opening between said points of engagement in whichan end portion of said flexible cover can be gathered to prevent damagethereto when said cover is tensioned.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said handle portions are apertured toreceive therethrough the end portions of said elastic band.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said handle portions are at one end ofsaid arms and said gripping portions are at the other end of said arms,said gripping portions extend substantially at right angles to saidhandle portions, and said arms are pivotally connected between saidhandle and said gripping portions.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said urging means comprises a spring inengagement with said handle portions.

6. A clip for holding a flexible cover or the like, comprising:

a. first and second pivotally connected arms, said arms each having ahandle portion and a gripping portion, said gripping portion beingangularly offset relative to said handle portion with the grippingportion of said first arm being disposed within the gripping portion ofsaid second arm,

b. means for normally urging said handle portions into spaced-apartrelation and said gripping portions into engaging relation,

c. said first arm gripping portion comprising a convexly curved sectionmerging into a concavely curved end section, and

d. said second arm gripping portion comprising a convexly curved sectionadapted to engage said first arm concave section, and a concavely curvedend section adapted to engage said first arm convex section at a pointof engagement spaced from the point of engagement of said first armconcave section and said second arm convex section, whereby said clip isadapted to engage said cover at spaced points of engagement.

7. The clip of claim 6 wherein said gripping portions of said first andsecond arms define an opening between said points of engagement in whichan end portion of said flexible cover can be gathered to prevent damagethereto when said cover is tensioned.

8. The clip of claim 6 wherein said handle portions are at one end ofsaid arms and said gripping portions are at the other end of said arms,and said arms are pivotally connected between said handle and saidgripping portions.

9. The clip of claim 8 wherein said urging means comprises a spring inengagement with said handle portions.

1. A holding device for a flexible cover or the like, comprising: a. anelastic band, and b. a pair of clips secured to the end portions of saidelastic band and adapted to engage the end portions of the flexiblecover, each of said clips comprising:
 1. first and second pivotallyconnected arms, said arms each having a handle portion and a grippingportion, said gripping portion being angularly offset relative to saidhandle portions with the gripping portion of said first arm beingdisposed within the gripping portion of said second arm,
 2. means fornormally urging said handle portions into spaced apart relation and saidgripping portions into engaging relation,
 3. said first arm grippingportion comprising a convexly curved section merging into a concavelycurved end section,
 4. said second arm gripping portion comprising aconvexly curved section adapted to engage said first arm concavesection, and a concavely curved end section adapted to engage said firstarm convex section at a point of engagement spaced from the point ofengagement of said first arm concave section and said second arm convexsection, whereby each clip is adapted to engage an end portion of saidcover at said spaced points of engagement.
 2. means for normally urgingsaid handle portions into spaced apart relation and said grippingportions into engaging relation,
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein saidgripping portions of said first and second arms define an openingbetween said points of engagement in which an end portion of saidflexible cover can be gathered to prevent damage thereto when said coveris tensioned.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said handle portions areapertured to receive therethrough the end portions of said elastic band.3. said first arm gripping portion comprising a convexly curved sectionmerging into a concavely curved end section,
 4. said second arm grippingportion comprising a convexly curved section adapted to engage saidfirst arm concave section, and a concavely curved end section adapted toengage said first arm convex section at a point of engagement spacedfrom the point of engagement of said first arm concave section and saidsecond arm convex section, whereby each clip is adapted to engage an endportion of said cover at said spaced points of engagement.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said handle portions are at one end of said arms andsaid gripping portions are at the other end of said arms, said grippingportions extend substantially at right angles to said handle portions,and said arms are pivotally connected between said handle and saidgripping portions.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring in engagement with said handle portions.
 6. A clipfor holding a flexible cover or the like, comprising: a. first andsecond pivotally connected arms, said arms each having a handle portionand a gripping portion, said gripping portion being angularly offsetrelative to said handle portion with the gripping portion of said firstarm being disposed within the gripping portion of said second arm, b.means for normally urging said handle portions into spaced-apartrelation and said gripping portions into engaging relation, c. saidfirst arm gripping portion comprising a convexly curved section merginginto a concavely curved end section, and d. said second arm grippingportion comprising a convexly curved section adapted to engage saidfirst arm concave section, and a concavely curved end section adapted toengage said first arm convex section at a point of engagement spacedfrom the point of engagement of said first arm concave section and saidsecond arm convex section, whereby said clip is adapted to engage saidcover at spaced points of engagement.
 7. The clip of claim 6 whereinsaid grippinG portions of said first and second arms define an openingbetween said points of engagement in which an end portion of saidflexible cover can be gathered to prevent damage thereto when said coveris tensioned.
 8. The clip of claim 6 wherein said handle portions are atone end of said arms and said gripping portions are at the other end ofsaid arms, and said arms are pivotally connected between said handle andsaid gripping portions.
 9. The clip of claim 8 wherein said urging meanscomprises a spring in engagement with said handle portions.